Brough speaks on Slipper case involvement

Former Howard government minister Mal Brough says he has nothing to be ashamed of over his involvement in a failed sexual harassment case against former speaker Peter Slipper.

The Federal Court dismissed the case in December, declaring it to be an abuse of process and designed to further the political interests of Mr Brough and the Liberal National Party (LNP).

It emerged during the court proceedings that Mr Brough had requested extracts of Mr Slipper's diary from the staff member who ultimately filed the sexual harassment case, James Ashby.

Mr Brough has been preselected as the LNP's candidate for Mr Slipper's Sunshine Coast electorate of Fisher but has refused repeated requests for an interview until today.

Asked whether he thought it was wrong or illegal to obtain parts of Mr Slipper's diary, Mr Brough replied: "Mr Slipper's now about to face court next week and be charged ... on criminal offences relating to allegations of misuse of travel [entitlements].

"I think that's the right and proper place for such matters to be decided, so it would be entirely wrong of me to make any comment whatsoever about such issues."